Digital Impression

What Is a Digital Impression? (Welcome to the Future of Not Gagging)

A digital impression is a 3D scan of your teeth created by a small, wand-like camera. It captures thousands of images per second to build a perfect virtual model of your mouth. Think of it as creating a high-definition, 3D Google Map of your teeth that we can rotate, zoom in on, and use to design your new crown with incredible precision.

But here's the real game-changer: remember that awful, goopy impression material that made you gag and tasted terrible? Digital impressions have made that a thing of the past. It’s like upgrading from a typewriter to a computer—it has completely revolutionized the patient experience.

The Gag-Free Revolution: Old vs. New

Traditional Impressions (The Dark Ages):

• A mouth full of cold, sticky goop.
• Fighting your gag reflex for 3-5 minutes.
• That awful taste lingering for hours.
• The dreaded "we need to redo this" if there was a bubble or distortion.

Digital Impressions (The Modern Standard):

• A small camera wand is moved gently around your teeth.
• You can breathe, swallow, and even talk during the process.
• We can pause at any time if you need a break.
• You see your teeth appear on the screen in real-time.
• No taste, no goop, no drama.

How Does It Actually Work?

The process is remarkably simple and fast, usually taking only 3-5 minutes.

1. Preparation: We simply ask you to open your mouth. That's it.
2. The Scanning "Dance": Your dentist or assistant moves the wand around your teeth as the camera captures the images and the software stitches them together into a 3D model.
3. Real-Time Perfection: If a spot is missing, we just rescan that small area. The result is a mathematically precise model of your teeth, accurate to within microns (thinner than a human hair).

Why Digital Impressions Are Better

Beyond the obvious comfort advantage, digital impressions lead to better dental work.

• Unmatched Accuracy: There is no physical distortion, shrinkage, or bubbles that can occur with goopy impression material. This accuracy means your final crown will fit better.
• Improved Communication: We can show you the 3D model of your teeth on a large screen, pointing out exactly why a crown is needed. It turns your dental visit into a transparent, educational experience.

• Faster Turnaround: The digital file is sent to our dental lab electronically in seconds, eliminating shipping time and getting your crown made faster. For same-day crowns, the scan is sent directly to our in-office milling machine.

While there are some rare clinical situations where a traditional impression may still be necessary, for over 95% of cases, digital impressions are the superior, more comfortable, and more accurate method. If you have been avoiding needed dental work because of a fear of impressions, you can finally relax.

Here's what we want you to remember:

Digital impressions have transformed one of the most dreaded dental procedures into a comfortable, fast, and interesting experience. They are not just about avoiding the gag-inducing goop; they lead to more accurate and better-fitting crowns.

Every patient's situation is unique.

Whether we use our iTero® or CEREC® Primescan scanner, the technology allows us to capture a perfect and personalized 3D model of your mouth, ensuring your new restoration is a custom fit just for you.

Have you been putting off dental work due to impression anxiety?

Curious to see this technology for yourself? We're here to give you honest, personalized answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.